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Pressure systems and equipment

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If pressure systems or equipment fails, it can seriously injure or kill people and cause serious damage to property.

While designers, manufacturers, suppliers, installers, users and owners are responsible to make sure pressure systems and equipment are safe for use, employers (and self-employed) must also consider it as part of fulfilling their duty to provide a safe workplace and work equipment.

Employers have a further duty to consult any safety or employee representatives on health and safety matters or the workforce directly if there isn’t one.

Key actions for safety around pressure equipment and installations

  • Provide safe and suitable equipment – plant and systems that are designed, constructed and installed with health and safety in mind.
  • Know the operating conditions, so you can make informed decisions about selection, maintenance and controls.
  • Fit suitable protective devices, regularly check they function properly and are being used correctly.
  • Make sure systems are properly maintained by a competent person.
  • Don’t allow any modifications or repairs that might cause danger.
  • Train users appropriately.
  • Get a written scheme of examination drawn up by a competent person (this is required for most pressure systems and equipment).
  • Get examinations carried out in line with the written scheme by a competent person.
  • Keep records of all maintenance, repairs, servicing, examination and inspections of the equipment/system.

 

Templates that may help with first aid

Equipment 

Risk assessments

 
 
 

Health and safety

Guards and safety devices
 

Additional resources

Getting the standard right

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Related topics

To maintain and use pressure systems and equipment safely, they following risks need to be considered:
Accidents
Confined spaces
Health and safety policy
Lifting equipment
Machinery guarding and intervention
Manual handling
Process-related fire and explosion hazards
Storage of flammables and explosives
Training
Vibration
Welding and other hot work
Work at height and falls

Useful links for pressure systems and equipment

Further information about controlling the risks from pressure systems and equipment is available from these websites:
BSI (British Standards Institution)
BSI - BS EN 720-1: Transportable gas cylinders. Gases and gas mixtures. Properties of pure gases
IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)
HSE (Health and Safety Executive) - Emergency procedures
HSE - Safety of pressure systems – Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000: Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations (L122)
HSE - Written schemes of examination: Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (INDG178)
HSE - Safe use of work equipment – Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L22)
HSE - A guide to the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 (L82)
HSE - Safety requirements for pressure testing (GS4)
HSE - Diving – Approved codes of practice
HSE - Compressed air safety (HSG39)
HSE - Carriage of dangerous goods – Transportable pressure equipment

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